'Research on Post-Soviet Exchange Rate Policy': HSE University–St Petersburg Graduate Participates in Scientific Congress in Seoul
Mark Angelo Gajardo, graduate of the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia,' presented his research at the 28th World Congress of Political Science organised by the International Political Science Association (IPSA).
The Congress took place in Seoul (South Korea). It is one of the largest scientific events in the sphere of political science. Mark Angelo Gajardo, graduate of the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia,' presented research based on his master's thesis. His paper covers political factors influencing the choice of exchange rate regimes in post-Soviet countries. The presentation at the conference was held as part of the panel session 'Political Economy of Finance.'
In the interview, Mark shared how the 28th World Congress of Political Science went, what impressions he had of the trip to Seoul, and why the experience of participation in an event of such a scale was valuable.
— What does one have to do to participate in the conference and present their research?
— There are no specific criteria for participation in the Congress: both students and professors can apply if their paper is ready. I sent my research abstract. This year, the organisers received more than 6,000 applications, and they had to cut the number of participants to about 3,000. Luckily, my project was selected. After receiving the confirmation letter, I sent the whole text of my article, which was a more concise version of my master's thesis.
— What was your research about?
— I studied how political factors defined preferences in choosing the exchange-rate regime in post-Soviet countries in periods of economic transformation. Using the method of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), I analysed fifteen post-Soviet countries spanning from 1995 to 2016. The results showed that the choice of a fixed or floating exchange rate is impossible to attribute to only one political factor. The decision can be influenced by various combinations of political conditions which lead to similar results. Certain economic and institutional conditions, alongside political ones, also influence the choice of an exchange rate regime in general.
— Why did you choose this topic? Why was it interesting to you?
— I have been interested in political economy since my university studies. It is especially exciting to study it in the context of Eurasia, given that in the post-Soviet period, the region went through extensive economic and political reforms to integrate into the world economy. While working on the literature review for my thesis, I noticed that there was almost no research covering the political aspects of exchange rate policy in post-Soviet countries. Then, I realised that my paper could serve as a good starting point.
— Did you have any expectations related to the conference? Were they met?
— Mostly, I expected to get useful feedback on my research, which would help to improve my paper for further publication. Thanks to this experience and knowledge of other participants, I managed to get valuable ideas and alternative viewpoints, which I overlooked when writing the thesis. Now, I'm planning to send my research to a peer-reviewed journal. I think that such conferences give a great opportunity to improve one's material. The event itself contributes to the development of political science thanks to the participation of academic experts from all over the world.
— What was the most valuable result for you in professional and personal terms?
— Apart from feedback and comments on my thesis, it was valuable for me to make new contacts with participants from different universities and learn about the directions of their research. On a personal level, the highlight of the conference was that I could see Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations, and attend his plenary session on liberal democracy, multilateral cooperation, and global citizenship. I also witnessed the speech by Lee Jae Myung, the new president of South Korea, who spoke about the Korean experience in preserving democracy—it was a part of the opening ceremony. The topic of the conference was 'Resisting Autocratisation in Polarised Societies.'
— Was it your first time in Seoul? How did the trip go in general? What was the highlight?
— Yes, it was my first visit to South Korea, and it was a truly incredible experience of exploring such a vibrant and dynamic city. People often see South Korea from its modern, noisy side, but I also wanted to explore the suburbs and immerse myself in the rich cultural and historical traditions of the country, visiting cultural heritage sites. Apart from Seoul, I was lucky to see four historical cities related to the dynasties of Silla, Baekje, and Joseon, which helped me to understand the past of Korea on a deeper level. This trip was especially significant because of my visit to the War Memorial of Korea—for me, this moment was intimate as my grandfather was a veteran of the Korean War.
— What is your advice for students who would like to present their research at such events?
— My main advice is not to let doubts hold you back. Believe in your research skills and the work you've done, and don't be afraid of sharing it with others. Participation in conferences is an amazing way to get useful contacts, receive feedback, and strengthen self-confidence.
The Master’s programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia' trains political scientists specialising in the Eurasian region and former USSR countries. Students choose between research and applied tracks, study various disciplines (from political economy to international relations), and participate in intense project work. The programme offers internships at the consulting company Business Solutions and Technologies, semester-long studies at the Italian University of Trento, and fieldwork in post-Soviet countries. Graduates are in demand at universities, consulting companies, and state and international organisations.